Super markets pollute city for free!

Defying the norm set by the civic body to charge for plastic bags given out to customers and explain to them the reason why they are being made to pay major stores in the city provide it for free, thus adding to the non-biodegradable waste

Super markets pollute city for free!

Defying the norm set by the civic bodyu00a0 to charge for plastic bags given out to customers and explain to them the reason why they are being made to pay major stores in the city provide it for free, thus adding to the non-biodegradable waste

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The rules issued by the BBMP in March this year regarding issuance of plastic carry bags at super markets is being blatantly violated.The norms were laid to discourage usage of plastic and stated that those wanting to use carry bags should pay for it. However, a visit to several super markets and bazaars in the city revealed the rule being ignored.

Non-degradable: Even compostable plastic requires special industrial
composting methods to degrade. Representation pic

"The basic reason why the 40 micron rule was introduced was to make plastic carry bags reusable, worthwhile to collect or retrieve for recycling and available for an explicitly stated charge, rather than for free," Karnataka Pollution Control Board environmental officer Kumaraswamy said.

BBMP's enforcement has had some stores that give these bags for a price. The HOPCOMS outlets are giving out standard size plastic bags of 12''x10" for Re 1. Similarly, Safal outlets collect Re 1 for a small plastic carry bag and Rs 2 for a bigger one. "Just like other outlets in the city, even we give plastic carry bags free of cost. However, we advise people to bring their own bags along while shopping," said Munikumar, store manager of a popular super store.

Few good men
A check revealed that Karnataka Milk Federation Dairy outlets in the city do not give out any type of plastic bag. People are quite happy to take their own bags along when buying milk and dairy products from these outlets.

"Stores giving out free plastic bags defeat the very purpose of the notification, which was intended to curb the use of such bags," green activist Naveena Kamath said. She added, "A thicker bag like the one of 40 micron is an environmental hazard, as it would take much longer time to degrade compared to thinner bags of 20-30 microns, which were in circulation earlier."

Join the jawans
"The Army Canteens in the city have managed without plastic carry bags since the beginning. People bring their own bags and recruits and jawans are often seen carrying all their purchases in hand, minus bags of any type," Kamath added

Eco hazards
"Some stores are giving out biodegradable or compostable plastic bags. Such labels are misleading. It must be brought to the notice of the interested public that most of these bags do not bio-degrade under normal atmospheric conditions or composting, but require special industrial composting methodsu00a0 to degrade. Such bags do not decompose even after being buried in wet earth for over five months," she added.

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